Visitor Caught Burglary Suspects

GLOUCESTER — A Maryland man visiting his parents in Gloucester on Tuesday has been identified as the man who caught two brothers later charged in a burglary.

Gloucester police said Wednesday that William Peterson "Pete" McLean of Odenton single-handedly chased down the brothers, James Bess, 19, and Patrick Bess, 18. Shortly after the incident, police had said a "concerned citizen" had helped two officers apprehend the brothers.

According to a statement McLean made to police, he ran into his parents' home to grab a pistol and chased the brothers after he saw another man, Clinton Booker, pursuing them down Route 614 near Gum Fork.

Booker, who was also armed, had allegedly seen the brothers breaking into a neighbor's mobile home and had confronted them when they came out.

McLean said he chased the pair into the woods and fired a shot over their heads from his 9mm pistol before they surrendered to him. McLean then marched them out of the woods and was met by several deputies.

He told police he fired the shot after one of the brothers "grabbed at a holster."

Booker has told authorities he fired his gun to try and scare the brothers. But one of the shots struck James Bess in the leg, slightly wounding him.

Lt. T.G. Bell of the Sheriff's Department said it is possible Booker will face charges in the shooting, although he said a final decision will be up to the Commonwealth's attorney.

"When you use deadly force against someone, it's got to be justified," Bell said.

Bell, who is chief of the county's investigative unit, sounded a cautionary note for other citizens who witness crimes an feel compelled to take action. "We encourage citizens to get involved in this kind of thing," he said, "but we encourage them to be very careful in what they do."

A number of items were stolen from the mobile home, which belongs to Dortha M. Kirk. Bell said the items include a .22-caliber starter pistol, a .32-caliber revolver, eight necklaces, some valuable coins and a micro-cassette recorder.

Most of the items, including the two pistols, had been recovered by Wednesday afternoon, Bell said.

Because of the value of the property, authorities said grand larceny charges were added to the charges that were initially filed against the brothers.

Patrick Bess was initially charged with breaking and entering with a weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was first set at $50,000 but then raised to $65,000 with the addition of the grand-larceny charge.

James Bess was initially charged with breaking and entering, with bond set at $15,000. His bond was raised to $30,000 because of the additional charge.

Both are being held at the county jail. Bell said both have prior criminal records and James Bess was recently released after serving nine months on burglary and drug charges.